Rugby Alabama Becomes SBRO

BOULDER, Colo. -- USA Rugby is pleased to announce that Rugby Alabama has been approved as a Level 1 State-Based Rugby Organization (SBRO). The organization applied for SBRO status last Tuesday March 15, and was approved by the USA Rugby Youth and High School Department yesterday.

The department reviewed Rugby Alabama’s organizational goals, challenges, volunteer base, support from other local rugby organizations such as Local Area Unions (LAUs), and other factors before they approved the application.

“Alabama is an organized group that has great support from their LAU. They’ve got good plans and goals in place for moving forward,” said Youth Development Manager Erin Kennedy.

Alabama has been introducing Rookie Rugby, the non-contact version of rugby, to physical education classes throughout the state and are working to get Rookie Rugby included in the Alabama middle school P.E. curriculum.

The SBRO structure has been largely responsible for the enormous growth in youth rugby over the last two years, exposing over 350,000 American children and teens to the game.